In January 1999, over 400 alumni, Brothers and friends attended the dedication ceremony for the Thomas F. and Elaine P. Ridgley Fine Arts and Athletic Center. The dedication of this 40,000 square foot facility was presided over by Bishop Gregory Aymond, CJ ’67, hosted by Brother Ivy LeBlanc, S.C. President of Brother Martin High School and was the realization of the goal of the first phase of the Campaign for Brother Martin High School.
You enter the beautiful Ridgley Center Lobby on a diagonal. The diagonal sits on the Faubourg-Darcantel line, one of the oldest boundaries in the city. Upstairs in the second floor lobby, you face a wall of windows which frames E.A. Farley Field.
Throughout the Ridgley Center there are rooms named to honor some of those who have contributed mightily to keeping us faithful to our deepest call. The band room is named in honor of Professor Joseph Taverna. Prof. Taverna was the band director at St. Aloysius from 1931-1961. The athletic training room is named to honor Dr. Winston P. Riehl who has mended Crusader athletes since 1966. Under the leadership of Tom Benson, the St. Aloysius Class of 1944 was the only class to have a donation made in the name of every class member. Brother Mark Thornton was the first principal of Brother Martin High School. In naming the terrace, the most beautiful room in the building, after him we hope to perpetually remember that religious values are the cornerstone of our mission.
